The NW Examiner looked at conflicting opinions of Pearl District residents regarding views of the Fremont Bridge that would be blocked by the Fremont Placeapartment tower, which is currently going through design review.

1825 NW 23rd Ave has been submitted for building permit review by Works Progress Architecture:

New 5 story, 64 unit mixed use building with retail in first floor concrete podium. Landscaping, first floor parking and site utilities

A building permit was issued to DiLoreto Architecture for alterations to St Joseph the Worker Catholic Church at 2400 SE 148th Ave:

Partial change of occupancy from A-3 to A-2, additions on east and west elevations of existing church, partial remodel of existing building. Expansion of parking lot, new landscaping and stormwater facilities. New 118 sq ft trash enclosure not reviewed for life safety under this permit.

A building permit was issued for the Redwood Apartments at 1616 NW Everett St (formerly 233 NW 16th Ave):

Type III Design Review for a new 280 unit, 16-story building with market rate residential units and ground floor retail. The new building will be “L-shaped” around the Touche Restaurant Building. Underground parking, 222 spaces, will serve the project. This proposal will replace the recently discussed demolition of the Touche Bldg and construction of a 12-story residential building (EA 16-138068) and will replace the recently approved Design Review of the “Meriwether 501” building (LU 15-187119 DZM, AD).

Mackenzie have submitted a project at 700 SE Belmont St for building permit review:

LEVER Architecture’s Framework will be a 12 story tall timber building.

In ‘Death of a Mall Rat‘ the Portland Mercury wrote about the Lloyd Center, which is currently in the middle of a major remodel. As Portland changes, the paper wondered whether the 1960s mall can keep up.

Commissioner Dan Saltzman is proposing a 1% Construction Excise Tax, according to The Oregonian. The City’s ability to impose the tax was made possible by a recent change in Oregon law. The law requires that at least 50% of the revenues from the tax be used for providing affordable housing. Commissioner Saltzman, who oversees the Portland Housing Bureau, wishes to see 100% of the tax dedicated to affordable housing.

In a blog post the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis explained that “housing does filter”. New construction that is that the top end of the market eventually becomes much lower priced relative to the overall housing market.

The Portland Tribune reported that a panel of state economists and housing experts told a State legislative committee that a “confluence of factors — including low supply, high demand, obstructive regulations and lacking infrastructure — is driving up housing prices in the state”.

Portland Shoupistas wondered if the City Council will impose “rent-raising minimum requirements in NW PDX?” A proposal to add parking minimums in the Northwest Plan District was recently rejected by the Planning & Sustainability Commission, however NW neighbors are trying convince the City Council to add them back at a July 6th hearing.

The Oregonian wrote about the ‘Portland for Everyone’ housing coalition, which is “calling on Portland leaders to increase density in single-family residential neighborhoods, strengthen renter protections and put a general obligation bond on November’s ballot that would fund affordable housing.”

The Portland Business Journal wrote that the 12 story timber framed tower Framework (pictured above) is moving forward—and with a deeper level of affordability. The 60 units in the mixed use building were originally planned to be offered to people earning less than 80% of area Median Family Income. The units will now be offered to people earning less than 60% area MFI. The building is set to go before the Design Commission on July 7th.

The Oregoniancovered a report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, which found that the hourly wage needed to afford a two-bedroom apartment in Oregon rose from $16.61 hourly wage in 2015 to $19.38 in 2016.

The Portland Business Journal reported that the office space at the Park Avenue Westtower is now nearly all taken. The residential leasing is proceeding more slowly, with only a quarter of the units taken. In a separate interview with the paper TMT Development president Vanessa Sturgeon states that she’s “just fine” with the pace that units are leasing at.

A post at Planetizen asked if Portland has “lost is way”. The article argues that “Oregon’s poster child for livable planning is embroiled in new controversies over destructive growth, skyrocketing prices, and back-room cronyism.”

The Hollywood Star News reported that construction is about to start on the Bridgetown Apartments at the former Red Fig property in Beaumont Village. The project by Ethos Development and Siteworks Design/Build will include 50 residential units and 6,000 sq ft of retail space.

A 33-unit affordable housing complex in East Portland has opened, according to The Oregonian. TheFern Grove apartments at 14232 E Burnside St are set to be affordable to people earning less than 60% of area Median Family Income.

The retail spaces at the Langano Apartmentshave been leased, according toUrban Works Real Estate. The ground floor of the SE Hawthorne Blvd building will include Poke Mon, a poke bowl restaurant, as well as an M Realty office and Gallery Nucleus, an art gallery featuring a taproom.

The Cook Street Apartments on N Williams Ave have been sold to Boston-based Berkshire Group, for a undisclosed sum. The LRS Architects-designed building includes 206 residential units.

KGW reported that Exhaust Specialties at 700 SE Belmont St will close after 65 years in operation. Though no permits have been filed for the redevelopment of the site, an Early Assistance application was received by the City in February for a new self-storage facility.

Every week, the Bureau of Development Services publishes lists of Early Assistance applications, Land Use Reviews and Building Permits. We publish the highlights.

Boora Architects have requested Design Advice for Pearl Block 20:

Block 20 is a proposed hi-rise condominium building. One-hundred forty-two units are included in a five floor podium and 20 floor tower.No retail is proposed for this project. All parking is above grade and surrounded by units.

Allusa Architecture have requested Early Assistance for a project at 6805 SE 52nd Ave:

Build two new 3-story apartment buildings with no basement. One structure will be 18 units. The other structure will be 12 units.

Urban Development Group have requested Early Assistance for a project at 4917 SE Hawthorne Blvd:

New 46-unit mixed use apartment building with 2700 sq ft of commercial.

Early Assistance has been requested for a project at 700 SE Belmont St:

New self-storage facility. Existing structure(s) to be demo’d/removed.

Works Partnership have requested Early Assistance for a project at 224 SE 2nd Ave:

Proposed change of existing warehouse to office use with retail on ground floor. Also a proposed addition to the building of one story penthouse for residential occupancy. See EA 15-216040.

See EA 15-242170 appt and CO 16-100215. New two story four unit apartment structure behind existing single family residence which will remain.

Ankrom Moisan Architects have submitted the hotel portion of the 3rd and Salmondevelopment for Design Review:

Proposal for joint development of boutique hotel with 245 guest rooms and on site fitness center and conference center. Project will include ground floor and rooftop retail space. One modification needed for ground floor window and 1 adjustment needed for number of loading spaces.

new 16-story, 299 guestroom hotel includes first floor full service restaurant, market cafe; second floor 5,000 sf meeting room with outdoor terrace; rooftop restaurant and covered terrace. One level below grade with shoring includes gym facilities, locker rooms, pool and back of house activities.